Look Up Another Term

Definition: feature phone

A cellphone that contains a fixed set of functions beyond voice calling and text messaging but is not as extensive as a smartphone. For example, feature phones may offer Web browsing and email, but they generally cannot download apps from an online marketplace.

The "feature phone" moniker made sense when they were introduced in the late 1990s, because they included more functions than a regular cellphone. Today, the device is more a "featureless phone" compared to the ever-expanding functionality of a smartphone. See smartphone, cellphone and flip phone.

A Nokia Feature Phone

This Nokia phone includes Web browsing, email, MP3 player, and still and video cameras. (Image courtesy of Nokia, www.nokia.com)